Effects of Climate Change on the Productivity and Ecological Genetics of White Pine

Research Issue

Millions of trees are distributed from Wisconsin state forest nurseries each year. The success of such regeneration programs depends upon the development of adaptation strategies for enhanced ecosystem sustainability under changing climates. There is a need to identify species and seed sources with enhanced adaptation to climate change pressures to ensure biologically and economically sustainable reforestation, afforestation, and gene conservation.

Our Research

We seek to understand 1) shifts in rank and magnitude of seed source productivity over time to enhance forest health and biodiversity as climatic stresses increase and 2) establishment and development potential of seed sources with elevated viability and resiliency under new climate regimes. To do so, we are combining densitometry and growth data with quantitative genetic analyses to examine genotypic variability in productivity and adaptation potential of 60-year-old white pine growing as far west as northern Minnesota and eastward to Orono, Maine.

Expected Outcomes

We will select specific species and seed sources for varying competition and climate conditions, based on climate-induced stresses and forces. We expect to acquire information for resource managers, land management agencies, and landowners describing species and seed source selection that enhances ecosystem health and sustainability under climate change.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Headlee, W.L. 2014. Developing woody crops for the enhancement of ecosystem services under changing climates in the North Central United States. In: International Symposium on Tree Breeding Strategies to Cope with Climate Change; September 15-19, 2014; Suwon, Republic of Korea.